3.04.10_Matt. 15:8_Who are you honoring?

 Praise the LORD!!!

   Today's verses originally was written in the Old Testament, for those straying from following the Law. Here though, CHRIST resurrects them, to witness against those following the Law in but a shadow of its true purpose. Yet there is so much more to it then this and we shall dive in to it's depths. Watch it though, I feel the bottom is rocky!!!


   Matt. 15:8 (Isa. 29:13)

       8 “ ‘These people honor me with their lips,

but their hearts are far from me.

 9 They worship me in vain;

their teachings are but rules taught by men.’d”

   During the time of CHRIST, as most know, there wasn't the New Testament to go by. All of the scripture quoted was from one of the Hebrew Holy Books, to which there were several. They had not yet been compiled into what we call the Holy Bible or the Hebrew Tanakh. When first written, our verses were referring to those of the Jewish nation that gone astray and were not following GOD's precepts. Here though JESUS takes it to a whole new level, much the same as HE did with all the rest of Old Testament laws.

   Here HE was being questioned by the Pharisee and some teachers of the Law as to some of the actions by the disciples and ultimately JESUS HIMSELF. JESUS turns the tables on them though and made their question's answer ultimately come back upon them in judgment. HE had a way of doing this, especially when they were trying to trick HIM into a trap, where they could condemn HIM for breaking the Law. This though is not purpose here, it is to bring the verse into reference for us today,

   What is it that "comes out of our lips?" Is our speech always something that brings glory to GOD? Or is it mostly about things that would really be unimportant to HIM? With our calling to glorify the name of JESUS in all that we say, our speech should be very well tempered and restrained. There should be nothing that would dishonor HIM within it. Which means that every word should be uplifting to another and all around beneficial to their lives. This means for those we love, as well as those that are against us. No word that proceeds out of our months should have any negative connotations to it and in all rights we should be honoring GOD with every single syllable of it too. This too though, is not that which we are seeking, though of great importance and worthwhile  to think upon!

   Where truly is your heart today? Is it fully seeking after relationship with JESUS? Is HE still your first love? Is HE first and foremost in all that you say and do? Are you honoring HIM completely within your life? All these questions stem from these next few WORDS of this scripture, "but their hearts are far from me." Seven simple little words, which mean very little by themselves, a little more when put together and a whole lot more when spoken by the LORD HIMSELF!!!

   So I ask you this, if your words aren't honoring JESUS and your heart isn't seeking to glorify HIS precious name, how can you call HIM your LORD and SAVIOR and call yourself a CHRISTian? I'm not trying to 'trash' anyone or put them down, and certainly not judging them, but the LORD has laid this upon my heart a lot here lately. Most of you know that I'm networking over a dozen internet sites, for the purpose of bringing  attention to the LORD's ministry for me, Vine of CHRIST Ministries. I've run into more people that call themselves Christians, yet, I truly can't tell the difference between them and the rest of the world. Plus there are those that are trying to preach things totally outside of the Bible, writings of men, teaching from books for centuries left out of anything close to scripture. Even books from other religious beliefs, and all of it being done under the title of Christian. I truly believe it is time that all who want to bear this name, step back and take a good long look at what you truly believe, and get in step with that which is taught by JESUS within the sacred confines of the Bible!!! 


 
  No follow up verses today. This is one that I think even the strongest of Christian should think on. I've been thinking on it all day and I'm still not done. I pray, that you will pray, for the LORD to open your eyes and heart to a fuller and closer walk with HIM. that HE will draw you closer then ever before and that HE will give you a deeper understanding of what it means to bear the name CHRISTian!!!

Use these verses, but don't stop with them, cross reference and seek out GOD from within HIS WORD!!!


Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org


GOD bless and good day,

Rev. Marshall Barth

Vine of CHRIST Ministries

Vine Ministerial Network International

5.27.10_Like unto JESUS_(a re post)

 Praise the LORD!!!

   Due to the events of the day, this is a re posting of an earlier devotional. If you've read my book, "Out of the LIGHT", you'll know what took place on this day (5.26) many years back. It seemed like there were some unresolved feelings that needed to be taken care of and the LORD provided the means for this to happen. I'm thankful for a new Christian friend, that truly listens to the LORD's quiet voice and is obedient no matter the cost or their feelings. Such people as this, hold a special place in my heart and prayers!!!
 
   Acts 4:13
    
     "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with JESUS."

   Today we look at what it is to be a Christian or CHRIST-like, for this is truly what the word Christian means. One that is like CHRIST, or resembles HIM. In our verse for today we have Peter and John before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish religious judges. Those that were responsible for overseeing the religious practices of the Jews. These two men were before them because of the actions they were undertaking and the works that they were doing. They listen to them and then judge them as being ordinary men and unschooled. Not unschooled in general for they were businessmen and had to have some form of education to run their business'. But unschooled in the higher forms of the religion of the Jews and those works that they were preforming. For they had just taken part in the healing of a cripple man.

   This is taking place before anyone was ever called a Christian, but here they note "that these men had been with JESUS. JESUS and all that HE had done was still so fresh on their minds, that they could see that these men had been among those that had followed our SAVIOR. Though ordinary, there was something very different about them, they had been in HIS presence and it showed. The works and the words that they showed forth were reminiscent of those done by JESUS HIMSELF and it was plain to see.

   We as Christians, CHRIST-like, are also supposed to resemble CHRIST in all that we say and do. Whether the works of our hands or the word that come from our mouths, all about us is to lead others to see JESUS within us! That right, all that we say and do, not just some of the time, but all of the time. To often it isn't like this at all. Sure we may show our faith on Sunday mornings, or when we're around other Christians, but seldom will we constantly, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year reveal JESUS within our lives, words or actions. Let alone all three of these, all the time. Why is this? Have we fallen that far away from the ONE that gave HIS all for us on the cross? Or is it because we have forgotten what HE has saved us from? I'd take a fair stab at it and say it is a bit of all three together. Many times our lives are just so overwhelming, that they blind us to the realities of CHRIST and all that HE's done for us. We tend to allow them to control more of our actions and wording then we should and in so doing fall farther away each day.

   How can we keep this from happening and place ourselves in the positions of Peter and John? First and foremost is to draw closer to HIM in our prayer life. Focusing on HIM and all that HE's done for us, both before and after conversion and placing our attention more directly upon HIM and not all the other "great" matters of life. Next would be to begin reading our Bibles more and more each day. Filling our time with the WORD of GOD and not those words of man. It doesn't have to be hours on end, you can start with ten to fifteen minutes a day. I prefer early in the morning, before the world truly has had the opportunity to grab my attentions. I also like to read a daily devotional, to help draw my attentions closer to GOD. At this time, I'm reading four and sometimes five in the morning and two at night. This all on top of my readings of the Bible. Now I wouldn't expect anyone to try and imitate that which I do, I'm a minister and GOD has a pretty big calling upon my life, so it takes a great bit more to satisfy my hunger for the LORD. Pray on this matter and begin that which you're led to undertake. Always pray before you start reading, asking GOD to lead you and guide you as HE would have you read.

   The more you begin to fill the time in your life with reading and studying, prayer and meditation (on scripture) the more your life will begin to reflect the imagine of having been with JESUS. People may begin to see more and more of a difference in you also. Your speech will begin to change, your actions and practices will no longer be the same as they were. You will begin to transform into one that people will wonder about why your life is so different. Then they will seek to find out why it is and ask you, what is it that makes you different from ordinary men?

   As I finished this last part it was impressed upon my heart that this is not all. For today though, it is. Tomorrows writings will be a carrying on from here, giving more 'meat' for your table as to what it is to be a Christian!!!


Other verse for consumption: Matt. 5:16, 11:25,26, 14:12; mark 3:13-18; John 9:4,5; Acts 13:2; Eph. 2:10; Col. 3:17; Titus 2:10-12; James 1:22-27; 1 Peter 2:12
Use these verses, but don't stop with them, cross reference and seek out GOD from within HIS WORD!!!


Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org 

Please don't forget my other blog, "Blogs from the Vine," either, you may enjoy reading it also!

GOD bless and good day,

Rev. Marshall Barth

Vine of CHRIST Ministries

Vine Ministerial Network International

04-25-10_1 John 3:11, Gen. 4:8,9_Love one another (a re post)

*** Due to working long hours, I've not had the time to put out a posting for today and this one for tomorrow will have to be a re post. If I had the time to write them and do honor to the LORD in doing so, I would, but praise the LORD I've got to have money to operate the ministry so work takes precedence.***

       
 Praise the LORD!!!

   Oh, it feels good to be back about the LORD's work for me. I've done a lot to "try" and make the computer function better! It's all in the LORD's hands, as usual, and we'll just have to wait and see!!! Today we have two sections of scripture to work with:

   1 John 3: 11
      "This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another."

   Gen. 4: 8, 9  (please read verses 1-9 also)
      "Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?"

   Now in the first verse, we're told that we are to love our brothers(and sisters), this doesn't mean just our blood relatives, but the whole body of the Church. In this I mean all those that call on the name of JESUS as personal LORD and SAVIOR. This was a command given by JESUS HIMSELF, and by doing this the world will know we represent CHRIST as HIS disciples. Lately, I have seen a whole lot of hatred being thrown around by those that call JESUS LORD! People cutting others to the quick, right out in the open on the internet. Not the taking them aside in private and in a loving manor showing them their wrongs, but posting (for all to see) what they believe is right and the other person's wrongs.

   In all rights what they are doing brings us to our second verse for today. They're taking their brothers out into the fields of the world and slaying them! They might as well step in front of a TV camera and slice their throats (sorry for being so graphic). Is this loving a fellow Christian in the manor set forth for us? I'd say not. We are our brothers keepers and should rightfully act always in a manor showing love and edification, to them. Not one of blatant disregard and hatred. Can anyone with a true respect for JESUS treat another Christian in such a manor? I'd say not! To treat a brother or sister in CHRIST in this way is totally outside of anything that even closely resembles being CHRIST-like.

   Not only are these dishonoring another Christian, but they're showing utter disregard for our SAVIOR. We are told that when we have disagreements, over words and doctrine (here I'm not talking about false teachings), to take the brother aside and confront them in private and to do such, in a loving and compassionate way. All these people are succeeding to do is tearing down the Christian faith, making a mockery of it and making themselves look so much wiser and more learned (their pride)in their own eyes). Not in my eyes or those of any devote believer. For those of us that truly have given our lives over to JESUS, crucifying our flesh upon the cross and humbling ourselves before HIM, would do things in a whole different way.

   Yes, I am telling others that they are wrong in their treatment of another Christian, but I'm doing it on a site that is not out in the open for the world to see. For there are very few of the world that will come here to read my devotionals and those that do, their hearts are being worked by the HOLY SPIRIT and have a reason for being here. Those of you that read this, I ask you, that if you know those that have been falling prey to this way of the adversary, for that is what it is, enlist them to come here and read that which the LORD has given me this day. They just may be one of those that the LORD has had me write this for. Then again since nothing happens without the LORD's condoning it, I'd say that they are one of them!!!

(Dissension and hypocrisy are two of the major distractions that keep people from going to church or ever thinking about joining one, or even becoming a Christian! Isn't it about time we began acting like the name we claim as ours, Christian (CHRIST-like???) 

Other verses to study:Matt. 22: 37-40, 23: 1-39, 24: 12; Luke 6: 35-38; John 13: 34, 35; 1 John 2: 3-11
Use these verses, but don't stop with them, cross reference and seek out GOD from within HIS WORD!!!


Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org


GOD bless and good day,

Rev. Marshall Barth

Vine of CHRIST Ministrieshttp://vineofchrist.org

Vine Ministerial Network International

01.23.10- Luke 15: 11- 32- Lost Christians

Praise the LORD!!!

   Today the LORD has led me to the parable of the "prodigal son," but with a bit of a different twist! Most of the time when we hear these verses referenced they talked about the unconverted person, not the weak and back sliding believer. For the most part of my recent social networking adventures, shall we call them, I've run into a lot of Christians that are having a very hard walk of faith. Some even contemplating walking away! I've never gotten to the point of walking away, thank GOD, but there has been many a time that I've struggled with a weaken faith. We are all human and will at times become so burdened down by our lives and the world, that we have doubts in our beliefs.

  Luke 15:11-32

^11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. ^12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

^13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. ^14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ^15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. ^16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

^17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ^18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ^19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ ^20 So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

^21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.^a’

^22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ^23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ^24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

^25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ^26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ^27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

^28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ^29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ^30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

^31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ^32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

^a Some early manuscripts son. Make me like one of your hired men.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Lk 15:11-32

   Now most of us that have been a Christian for any length of time have read this or heard the topic preached on, it is a favorite of a lot of ministers. In this story we see one that decides to walk away from the 'family' to do his own thing. Sometimes we as Christians stray away from our profession of faith to live like we used to. I've been told by those outside the faith, "that Christianity is just a cop out", "just a way of getting away from the life you've lived."  I'll let these know that it is far, far harder to walk a life as a Christian then it is an unbeliever and if they don't believe me, tell them to give it a try!!!

   An unbeliever never gets convicted within their heart of their sins. They feel no grief or compassion for another when they've done someone wrong.If you walk with JESUS though these are far from true. You're more like to suffer great pangs of remorse for every little error within your walk then anyone can imagine. What I really love about the faith is that this isn't coming from me, the fleshly part, it's coming from deep within me, from the heart, where the HOLY SPIRIT has set up house. I trust these conviction far more then I'd ever trust my own!

 

Use these verses, but don't stop with them, cross reference and seek out GOD from within HIS WORD!!!

   Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org 


GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
Vine Ministerial Network International